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Just to let you know there is major reed cutting taking place at the Quoilepondage all week from 09.00 - 16.00, this may have a bearing on the birds that use the area, something to think about if you plan to birdwatch the area.

A Lapland Bunting was on Rathlin Island yesterday (B Robson). No word on it today.
With the strong North Westerly winds there have been good numbers in the the West of Ireland so it is worth while listening and looking for them!

Leading Irish wildlife artist Michael O'Clery has an exhibition, at the Graffan Gallery, Castle Espie, Co. Down which runs until Sunday 12th September. The exhibition includes many plates from the forthcoming "The Complete Field Guide to Ireland's Birds", to be published by Gill & Macmillan in the middle of September.
As a taster, here is one of the plates:

The two Glossy Ibis at Portmarnock Co Dublin were still present to-day. For anyone interested going to look for the Ibis, directions are heading for Dublin turn of at the Swords/Malahide turnoff,go through Malahide and head for Portmarnock which is about two and a half miles beyond Malahide once in Portmarnock you will see a Texaco garage, facing this is a large grass area were Mallard ducks are fed by the public the Ibis are coming on to the field,it's as easy as that.

1 Balearic Shearwater and a Great Skua passed by Burial Island Co.Down (which is on the outer Ards peninsula), also 1 ad Med. Gull on the beach south of Portavogie and a Reed Warbler at Ballyherly Co.Down.(R.Weyl)

2 Black-necked Grebe's, an adult and a juv. were at Mullagh Co. Londonderry and a Little Egret at Church Island.(K.Bennett)

Brent Geese continue to arrive on a daily basis there were 15 at the Maltings Co. Down along with a Wheatear and a Little Egret. (I.McKee)

The flock of ten Glossy Ibis that were reported from Rogerstown Co.Dublin earlier in the week,have now been reduced to just two birds and have been re-located at Portmarnock. With the new road system to Dublin now fully open you could be watching these birds within 90 mins after leaving Belfast. Where the other 8 birds have gone is of course a mystery, they could have well come north,so if you are out and about this week-end keep and eye out. The last certain record of Glossy Ibis in the north was way back in 1944 so one is long overdue. There has been old records going back to the end of the 19th century and early 20th century, but like most old records they had all been shot.

As we are now well into the sea watching season, to-day(27th Aug.) could be interesting, looking at the forecast there is north westerly winds reported, ideal for Ramore Head. It was around this date back in 2004 that Northern Ireland had it's first Little Shearwater of this headland, who knows maybe the second could be passing any day soon.

Leading Irish wildlife artist Michael O'Clery has an upcoming exhibition, at the Graffan Gallery, Castle Espie, Co. Down this Saturday. The opening is at 3pm on Saturday 28th, and runs until Sunday 12th September. The theme is 'Birds of the West Coast', and the exhibition also includes many plates from the forthcoming "The Complete Field Guide to Ireland's Birds", to be published by Gill & Macmillan in the middle of September.
As a taster, here is one of the portraits of a White Tailed Eagle:

Paul Kelly (www.irishbirdimages.com) has sent in an excellent picture of the Wexford bird. If anyone encounters the Quoile bird again, try and check out the slight staining on the left wing (you have to look closely for it!) to try to verify that they are the same birds. The bill colour's would indicate that they could be the same bird.

Ten Glossy Ibis were reported today from the Rogerstown Estuary, Co. Dublin (per www.Irishbirding.com). Not too far to travel for anyone from NI. However with it's recent run of rarities, they may show up at the Quoile soon.......

For any of us who live away from the coast and in deepest city life, migration is often hard to see. At this time of year, keep a look out for migrating Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers. Every August birds appear inland as they continue on their migration and this has been the case for many gardens in the last week. Not a rarity but they do make a difference from the usual garden fayre of Starlings or Blue Tits!

Great White Egret is still at the Quoile (Frank Carroll, Walter Veale et al). It is moving between Collectors Bay (sometimes out of sight to the far left of the hide) and the bay to the right on the way down to the Quoile before you get to the cattle ramp. A Little Egret, Green Sandpiper and 2 Common Sandpiper also seen.

Martin Garner has set up an excellent website called Birding Frontiers. You can view it at:

http://birdingfrontiers.com/

Martin is a former NI resident (and rarity finder) and still an occassional visitor. He gave an excellent talk to NIBA members earlier this year - who could view the humble Robin in the same light after that talk!

A Minke Whale live stranded twice, yesterday (18th) at Tyrella beach, Co. Down. The risk of it stranding along the coast again is very high, so it is worth keeping a look out for it if you are in the area.

It seems like all the photographers were out and about this weekend!! Special thanks to VanessaWray from Strangford who took these photos in here garden!! They are a Peacock, Speckled Wood, Green Veined Whited and another Peacock!

Here's some more superb shots from Africa from Allen Gillespie. How jealous do they make you? I can't publish the words going through my head when I look at them! Just look at the Barbet how can you not think "!*%#$"

Welcome

This site is run by a voluntary group of birders documenting and recording information about the birds and wildlife of Northern Ireland. We provide information on rarities and interesting sightings. The sightings on this blog are not accepted records - rarities need to be confirmed, see https://nirbc.blogspot.co.uk/